She is only 17 and Ana Perez is already a professional dancer, with both a precise and personal style.
She was taught contemporary dance by Josette Baïz and was part of the GROUPE GRENADE throughout her childhood. She performed in the greatest venues in France for the creations entitled "Zoom" and "Barbe bleue".
She was born with Flamenco inside. Her love for Flamenco was brought to light when she met the Sevillan masters: Adela Campallo, Mercedes Ruiz, Pilar Ortega, Eva la Yerbabuena...
As the daughter of Maria Pérez, Ana danced her first Alegria when she was only 9. The musicians witnessed her evolution show after show. We all remember her performance as a solo dancer in the piece "La Monja gitana" in 2004 (she was only 13 then) or in the show called Grito at the Théâtre du Gymnase and at the Festival du Château de la Tour d’Aigues.
She also takes part in the band "HOY FLAMENCO", composed of young talents of the new wave.
With all this rich experience, Ana Peréz has a huge career in front of her. She already knows how to use her beauty and is developing a very personal style, without betraying the spirit of Flamenco. Her absolute mastery of the compas gives to her silhouette a felin look.

MARIA PEREZ

When you are 43, you don’t dance the same way as when you are 20…
Maria knows quite well that she has reached a point where she has nothing more to prove… In fact, when she goes on stage, it is just to enjoy herself and share her emotions with the audience and the musicians. It is often said that her art is very close to her personality. She can move the audience by expressing her deep and sincere pain or by laughing at herself nonchalantly, with verve.
Her dance style is elegant, full of energy and spontaneity.

GUITARS PLAYERS

FRASCO SANTIAGO

Award winner from the flamenco guitar contest in 1994 in Nîmes, Frasco is one of the best guitar players in the region. As for accompanying the dance, he is by far the best.
Coming from a “Flamenco” family from the popular northern districts of Marseille, he is also a pioneer of this art in the city. Due to his experience and sensitivity, he works with most of the groups of the region. He set up his own company and staged a number of shows himself. Constantly placing himself in a research approach, Frasco works with Spanish artists whenever he can: Andrés Marin, Adela Campallo, Pilar Ortega, Andrés Péña…

MANUEL GOMEZ

He is a young guitarist who was born in Martigues in 1986 from a family of guitarists: "Los Bolecos". His grand-father, Pepe el Boleco, used to go on tour with CARMEN AMAYA. His father, Luis Gomez, is a renowned musician in the region.
Manuel went on stage for the first time when he was 14, to accompany el Zambo in a performance in Port de Bouc. He stunned the audience with his "soniquete de Jerez" when he played the opening of La Montse, Guadiana, Capullo, Fernado la Morena and Parrita.
2005: he plays with his father at the Festival de Lugano
2006: Festival de Gorbio – Tour to Moscow with the band Luis de Almeria.
2007: Spanish Week in Carcassonne – Festival de Gonfaron – Festival de Bézier
2007/2008: he plays with the band Barrio Chino and Sylvie Paz.

Manuel Gomez is only at the beginning of his career and all the Flamenco artists of the region already want to perform with him. He has a very personal sound and a pronounced style. As a genius in terms of technique, he has a rare ability to listen and he accompanies wonderfully dancers and singers alike. His open-mindedness and music knowledge have made possible various combinations with classical music, jazz and contemporary music.

SINGERS

JESUS DE LA MANUELA

Jesus was born in Marseille in 1973. He performed live for the first time when he was 12, at Port Saint Esprit, with Juan Cramona at the Centre Culturel Andalou in Nîmes.
The strength and colour of his voice soon made him a renowned "cantaor".
He has palyed in all the tablaos in France : Mont de Marsan, Solea, Los Flamencos, La Meson (Marseille), Planète Andalucia (Paris), Bordeaux, Toulouse, Montpellier, Bézier…
Since 1991, many Flamenco artists have performed with him:
Musicians: Juan Carmona, Kiko, Frasco Santiago, Titi, Cristo Cortés, José Cortés (El Muleto), Blas Deleria, Justo Eleria…
Dancers: Manuel Gutierrez, Maria Pérez, Ana Pérez, Isabel Cortés, Melinda Sala, Angel Lopez…
Nonetheless, his professionalism asserts itself when he performs with the great Spanish masters: Adela Campallo, Adrian Sanchez, Pilar Ortega, Andrés Peña…
He did many tours during his career: In Italy in 1992 and 1998 in Copula Basel; in Swizerland with el Coco and Melinda Sala, in Bern.
He aslo performs on big stages: Festival de Gorbio, in Manton, Cassis, Festival de la Tour d’Aigues, Théâtre du Gyptis and Théâtre du Gymnase in Marseille.
In 1998, he sang the opening of la Macanita and Diego del Morao on the great stage of the Vieux Port.
He accompanied Manuel Guiterrez in his show "El Emigrante" in the Cloître Saint Nazère in Beziers, in 2007.
As one of the pillar of strength of Maria Pérez’s Compagnie Solea, we will remember his performance in the piece "La Monja Gitana" in 2004 at the Théâtre du Gyptis in Marseille. Today, Jesus de la Manuela has reached a level where he has nothing else to prove. His experience in latino salsa music gives him some ease and a hearty contact with the audience.
He is the founding member of the band "Hoy Flamenco", in which young musicians make use of his advice and experience.

EMILIO CORTES

He was born in 1987 in Martigues. Emilio comes from a remarkable family of artists. Son of Antonio de la Foca and nephew of Cristo Cortés, he was immersed in the best possible Flamenco throughout his childhood.
When he performed live for the first time, he was only 13. He was in Valence, with is father. As a versatile artist, with a great command of both singing and percussions, he belongs to this young generation of "modern" gypsies who are open towards all kinds of influences. And yet, the colour of his voice, which is so special, echoes ancient chants in such a way that he manages to bring back to life the lost style of the "cantaores" from the beginning of the century, such as Antonio Chacon or Manolo Caracol. This ancient style is brought back to fashion in a completely different way than what has been done recently.
In 2007, Emilio sang for Manuel Gutierrez at the Cloister in Béziers. He also sang for Ana Pérez and Sandie Santiago at the Festival "les Andalouses" in Crest in the Drôme region.

JUSTO ELERIA

When Justo is singing, we’re almost certain that everything is going to be all right.
He is an artist who masters the flamenco compas so well that he is able to teach the rhythm to someone who has no ear for music.
His crystalline tone gives burst to the melodies but it is above all his strength and energy which uplift the dancer.
For that matter, everyone wants to work with him!!...
He has performed in the greatest venues in France and Spain.
We will particularly remember him performing live with Antonio CANALES and Juan CARMONA at the Dock des Suds, Marseille.

PERCUSSIONNISTS

JUAN CORTES : EL CHULO

Juan Cortés was born in 1978 in Marseille, from a Andalusian gypsy family.
He is starting to take piano lessons and takes part in several Flamenco festivals.
Open and attuned to other music genres, he records and plays his own music. After a fruitful collaboration with the guitar player Juan Carmona, Juan Cortés took part in the 3rd CD by Luis de la Carrasca. Their deep bond brings them together during tours in France and abroad.
In "Theory and Play of the Duende" by Federico Garcia Lorca, presented at the Festival d’Avignon, Juan Cortés played both percussions and the piano. This show was performed on a tour in 98/99. During that same period, he played with Luis de Carrasca in the show "Le Cid" adapted to Flamenco, at the Théâtre de la Madeleine in Paris.
In 2000, he was selected to take part in the new creation "El Sendero Flamenco" by the guitar player Juan Carlos Principal.
In 2001, Luis de la Carrasca contacted him again to play in his piece "Flamenco Vivo", with a tour accross France and Swizerland.
He is often called upon to accompany French artists for all the tablaos across the country. This young artist is considered as one of the best of his generation.
2002 – 2003 : He takes part in the festival of Avignon with Luis Carrasca and also accompanies the singer RAFAEL DE CARMEN in Lyon and in Calais in 2006.
2007 – 2008 : He works with Artur DENTE and cooperates on numerous projects with La Maison de l’Espagne in Aix-en-Provence. He also plays with the guitarist TITI, Antonio Abardonado.
In Paris, he played with renowned artists such as Cristo Cortés, José el Muleto, and Danile Manzanas, in a tribute show to CAMARON DE LA ISLA.
He works closely with the CENTRE SOLEA of Maria Pérez whether for tablaos or for the staging of end-of-year shows.
In 2008, he toured Greece with Antonio el Negro, with a very original creation. Ricardio Diaz playing the guitar, José Santiago playing the bass and Frasco from Aix on the violin.
Chulo is now working on a new Flamenco CD with a fresh and modern spirit, yet still preserving the Flamenco roots.

ANTONIO GOMEZ : EL KADU

Kadu is a young gypsy from a dynasty of « Flamencos puros » and he is our most recent discovery. For him, playing the percussion is like making lace.
He masters his instrument with accuracy and precision. He thus gives a striking impulse to the music.
He also works with all the groups of the region: Frasco SANTIAGO, Luis de ALMERIA …
Antoine GOMEZ, alias KADU, was born on June 17, 1980 from a gypsy family from Marseille. He quickly distinguished himself as a creative, generous and talented percussionist. Noticed by headliners such as Frasco SANTIAGO and Cristo CORTES, he started touring at the age of 15 in all the great tablaos across the country, such as the Centre Solea, Los Flamencos, La Meson,…and performed in the biggest international festivals: Festival de Mont de Marsan, Fiesta des Suds, les Rencontres d’Arles, Festival de Nîmes, Montréal Jazz Festival, Jazz à Viennes,…
He has been a member of the band of Juan CARMONA for three years and goes on many international tours : in the USA, Canada, Britain (London), Poland, Russia, Martinique, Spain, Hawai...and aslo in France (Paris, Caen, Normandy…).
He is a great accompanist and a renowned interpreter due to his sensitivity to rhythms of all genres and his ability to improvise, which enabled him to accompany the greatest musicians and singers such as Patricio DOMINGUEZ, Rafaël de UTRERA, Diego AMADOR, Cristo Cortes. He was also called upon by great dancers such as Adrian SANCHEZ, Juan de Juan, Maria del mar Moreno, Adela CAMPALLO, Fuensenta la MONETA,…